Amillennial is a term that is often used in theological discussions and debates. It is a term that describes a particular view of the end times and the millennium, which is a period of one thousand years mentioned in the book of Revelation. In this article, we will explore the definition, origin, meaning, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences of amillennial.
Definitions
Amillennial is a term that is used to describe a Christian theology that rejects the idea of a literal one-thousand-year reign of Christ on earth. Instead, amillennialists believe that the millennium is a symbolic period that began with Christ’s resurrection and will end with his second coming. They also believe that the book of Revelation is not a literal account of the end times, but rather a symbolic description of the ongoing conflict between good and evil.
Origin
The term amillennial comes from the Latin word “a” which means “not”, and “millennium” which means “a period of one thousand years”. The term was first used in the early 20th century to describe the views of Christian theologians who rejected the idea of a literal one-thousand-year reign of Christ on earth.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, amillennial means “denying or not expecting a thousand-year period of human peace and prosperity preceding the end of the world”. The Oxford English Dictionary defines amillennial as “a view of the end times that rejects the idea of a literal one-thousand-year reign of Christ on earth”.
Associations
Amillennialism is often associated with other theological views such as preterism, which holds that many of the prophecies in the book of Revelation were fulfilled in the first century, and postmillennialism, which holds that the millennium will be a period of human progress and prosperity brought about by the spread of the gospel.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for amillennial include non-millennial, anti-millennial, and symbolic-millennial.
Antonyms
The antonyms of amillennial include premillennial, which holds that Christ will return before the millennium, and postmillennial, which holds that Christ will return after the millennium.
The same root words
The root word of amillennial is millennium, which comes from the Latin words “mille” meaning “thousand” and “annus” meaning “year”.
Example Sentences
- Many theologians reject the idea of a literal one-thousand-year reign of Christ on earth, and instead hold to an amillennial view of the end times.
- The amillennial interpretation of the book of Revelation sees it as a symbolic description of the ongoing struggle between good and evil.
- Some Christians hold to a premillennial view of the end times, while others hold to an amillennial or postmillennial view.
In conclusion, amillennial is a term that describes a particular view of the end times and the millennium. It is a view that rejects the idea of a literal one-thousand-year reign of Christ on earth and sees the millennium as a symbolic period that began with Christ’s resurrection and will end with his second coming. Understanding the meaning and associations of amillennial is important for anyone interested in Christian theology and eschatology.